The Ephipany Messenger

In the book entitled The Epiphany Messenger (E10), E13, and other places Johnson writes about himself as seen in Biblical antitypes. From informal surveys, many LHMM adherents have not even read these books. In some of the countries where there are larger numbers of followers than in the U.S. (such as Poland and France) the books have not even been translated into their native language. Here are some things presented in those writings that are difficult to believe:

* Johnson sees himself in so many types that it makes him into an overly pivotal person in God's grand plan…mentioned only second to Jesus in importance.
* Dates and times of some events were not recorded and so he guessed at the times to make it work out (See E10, p. 22)
* There is little Scriptural proof offered that these detailed types are in the Bible. (Only Amos 3:7)
* Many of the facts presented can not be verified. They are things that happened in Bro. Johnson's head or during his time period. We can only take his word for it.
* Many of the parallels are questionable. For example, on E10 p. 57 Claude of Turin dies and this types Johnson completing wrting up to a certain paragraph of a certain article.
* Certain events could have been influenced by Johnson's desired or expected outcome…like losing a debate on a certain day.
* Parallel events are not consistent. Sometimes like events in the type represent multiple kinds of events in the antitypes (for example, someone's death types writing an article, someone failing to go somewhere, or someone returning from a trip, etc.)
* Johnson speaks of Jesus taking over his mind exclusively while talking to a brother. It's hard to believe he was used in this way. E10 p. 305
* If some details of types can be verified as untrue, how can we accept the rest of them as true? For example, in E10 p. 594 Bro. Johnson sees God's speeches to Job typing God speaking to him about the creative works he wrote in the Creation book. In E2 p. 472 Johnson indicates that Behemoth was a hippopotamus and Leviathan was a crocodile. A hippopotamus obviously does not have a tail like a cedar (Job 40:17) nor does a crocodile breath fire (Job 41:19-21). These creatures were more likely dinosaurs considering their descriptions. If God was telling Bro. Johnson what to write, why did he allow him to write these errors?
* All the detailed types such as those presented by Johnson ended with his death. Is Jesus done with His work on earth?

How can we reconcile these things? If we decide that some of the types Johnson gives are simply not true, how can we decide which ones are true? How can you prove Johnson was the Epiphany Messenger without appealing to his own writings? Why would God allow him to make such mistakes? How important are these types in a Chirstian's life? How much time should be devoted to studying them?

Johnson stated that no doctrine of the Plan should be based solely upon a type. Types are used to illustrate doctrines taught in clear Scripture and not used to teach (E4 p. 254 ). How can one prove there is a Youthful Worthies class without using types? How can one prove the High Calling is closed without using types? These are contradictions.

Various Bible Students have stated that they don't believe in Johnson because he saw himself in types so much. This is a valid point. If you read the 10th Epiphany volume it is evident. How can one answer this objection? It seems we must first, prove that Bro. Johnson was the Epiphany messenger, then we can accept some of the types he presented by faith. But what if he wasn't? It is a vicious circle of reasoning. Can we prove the types by the source and prove the source by the types?